Disclaimer: I don't own Grand Chase

Horrific Chapter 2

There wasn't much wondering on her figure anymore, for in her gained respite she decided to change the bandages covering her upper body. So down came the armor, then the dress, then the bandages. I felt an unusual gap between my brain and my body as I watched her. Rationality seemed to have gone out the window, for never had there been a sight on which I laid eyes on longer than 20 seconds.

There I stared; not knowing what there is about her smooth skin and exuberant mammary glands that is worth my attention – my undivided and stolen attention. Her pale complexion was then colored by the stripe of open flesh wound underneath her breast, covering her abdomen with crimson liquid. There was something beautiful in the blending of the color of her skin with the color of blood – something breathtakingly beautiful.

"Excuse me Zero, if you are done staring, could you kindly wipe the drool off your face? It's just the two of us, but the sight of you so smitten is embarrassing enough even for myself."

I was both grateful and humiliated that he would be the one to pull me out of such an entranced state. I took a mental slap of myself and went back to reality, and reality shows the wound on her body seemed to be growing.

"3 hours max." I concluded.

"Less. It's spreading fast, and trouble keeps on piling up."

For a moment there it almost seemed like both of us were getting worried. It would be unbecoming if that were the case. But the aforementioned trouble was nearer than what Lime would've expected. She has barely returned her armor back in place when she was again surrounded by monsters, all of which have an enchantment of some sort.

"Well, I hope you got a good look at her, because it would be the last. She doesn't stand a chance this time."

"Yes she does. I'm going to help her." I softly declared, securing the gloves on my hands.

"What? Why?"

I would have asked the same question, but there would be no logical answer. Then again, my own nature was answer enough. Whether or not this feeble little human is related to it should be a different matter all-together…. Shouldn't it?

"I'm bored." I said casually. This time, it was Grandark's turn to retract from an argument. I felt his energy sweep around my body, his energizing rush and his unquenchable thirst – I swiftly drew him from my back and absorbed a handful of flare from his eyes.

There are several facts I am considering here. One would be her due death, which is irreversible at this rate. The second is the binding contract I made with the Executioner's wielder – to be of use when I have to be. Technically, I'm not really here, but seeing as I am about to expose myself to the very person who needed help, I will officially be. And lastly, the undeniable desire to behold her for a prolonged period of time.

There was no margin for error. I had to time it on the occasion that they will all try to attack her within that circle of protection. Such low level of a spell would not last, and she seems aware of it. Odds are against her, all odds, but I was quite amazed when, replacing the pained expression on her face, she now wore a serious, focused one. Impressive. Amidst the situation, she silently, calmly gathered her gear and started suiting up again.

But she has forgotten about the wound, and its effect on the body. For a moment I felt like plunging in there and attacking, but that would consume unnecessary energy. She wasn't able to put much face, for the pain sliced through so deep it made her incapable of lifting the gaven.

I heard Grandark's hiss, usually a sign of anticipation. If he was to be personified, he would be drooling of blood lust right now.

Cued by the retraction of their oral tentacles, I leaped from the tree of refuge and plunged down, using the momentum to impact the ground with an energized fist. Both Ms. Lime, and the dull creatures withdrew from my sudden entrance, but the violent ones stood no chance even with that. The ground took a life of its own and up-pierced flash growth of orchid, targeting each hostile entity in my proximity. I felt the subtle nourishment as each spike absorbed substantial life force, sucking all decoys dry.

But the sneaky amphibians wouldn't die just like that. I strode pass their bodies which were expanding and threatening to explode, snatched the lost Holy Knight by the waist and covered her with my body, protecting her from a flurry of green goo.

"Ze-zero!"

"No, Santa Clause." Grandark pointed out, obviously livened up by the action, "We are here to give you your parting gift, Ms. Lime. Zero…"

"Yes. Ms. Lime, I need you to hold on to Grandark." I said, walking towards her and holding up the great sword.

A most unusual request, so that clueless and apprehensive look on her slightly relieved face was understandable. The mere sight of Grandark was disturbing enough. Touching him would entail a greater feat of will power.

"Don't be afraid, Ms. Lime, I won't bite… for now anyway."

If he didn't say that in such a terrifying tone of voice he would have convinced me.

"Please hurry." I pleaded, hearing another wave come its way. We have a little over 45 minutes before they reach us.

She walked towards us and slowly reached out towards Grandark's edge. This spell was thought by Ronan. I didn't know Grandark was actually taking it seriously when he was explaining it. Perhaps it would be my turn to corner him for an explanation next time.

I felt the gathered life force leave my veins and travel across Grandark. The last time we did this I ended up little dizzy, and now was no different. Nevertheless, I stood my ground, and waited for the luminous red wave to leave my body and enter Lime's weakened one. The transfer was concluded with her sudden gasp.

"You have lost a lot of blood. I merely replaced it with some of my own."

"Oh no, would that mean…" she was about to fret about it, but thankfully Grandark spliced through.

"No, it doesn't bother him at all, nor will the transfer kill him. It could cause some flagellants, but that's about it."

Great… gas.

"Besides, if I didn't flush out some of his blood, some of it might have escaped his nose."

My mind didn't have time to digest that follow-up statement, for it was too preoccupied by the sight before me, and if only eyes can taste, mine would be swimming with flavor already. While she busied herself with the healed wound on her left arm, I was also at my own task. If only she'd remove the gauze from her front so I can fully see what's behind them, I'd be most grateful. Of course, I have a feeling she would not cooperate, so I kept the mindless sentiment to myself. Besides, I also think I am already seeing more than what I am allowed to see. The spectacle from the tree a few minutes ago held no par with this proximity, though.

"M-mr. Zephyrum! You are staring!" she suddenly reacted with grave insecurity, as she quickly covered herself.

"No. I am merely looking intently."

"It holds no difference!"

"Yes it does," I reasoned, catering more time for me to look at her. "A stare is simply a prolonged extension of a mindless process of looking. What I am doing right now is also looking, but also analyzing a specific peculiarity of your breast."

"I-I beg your pardon?" there was a combination of embarrassment and opposition on her face, all of which boiled down to a heated blush.

"Indeed, those are quite remarkable specimen of human flesh." I said, sincerely amazed at how dazzling her wounded body is, "Does your body feel as soft as it looks?"

"Why I'd never-! Mr. Zero Zephyrum! I am not a piece of meat for your perverted eyes to feast on, nor will I tolerate such indecency!"

"Begging your pardon miss, but I felt a sudden rush inside of me when you said 'meat' and 'feast'. Can you say it again, please?"

Quite a reaction she was giving, and if I am to choose a specific spectacle in my life that didn't involve gore or the like, I would choose this – her flustered expression, the green sparkle in her eyes so alive and so embarrassed that no emerald in Xenia would match it, and of course, the wonderful ocean like waves of her delectable body – perhaps this is lust, I am feeling. But it is not worth processing, just worth being cautious about – specifically it's effect on my tendency to drool.

I wiped the saliva off my chin.

"Ahem… forgive my idiotic vagabond, Ms. Lime. He is not used to giving compliments, especially ones that could provoke multiple interpretations. Needless to say, he simply finds you beautiful." Grandark said. I could not actually refute that.

"Be that as it may, Mr. Grandark, it is rude to stare at a lady's body without her consent."

"If I ask for your consent, will you give it?" I asked, struggling to prevent a hopeful tone from escaping my voice.

"Ah… emm…. I, I don't… I don't know… maybe…" she seemed to have lost her words.

There were huge clusters of red scattered all over her features. It was what they would call a blush, I suppose. It stayed there, even as she hurried to put back her clothing and armor.

"Excuse me, Ms. Lime, but I'm afraid we're not done yet."

"Eh?"

"We have to deal with that wound on your torso. In case you haven't noticed, it does not seem to be closing." I explained.

Even with the life force transferred to her, the open flesh continued to bleed profusely. It became a puzzle how she managed put up with it without passing out along the way.

"Ugh… it hurts" the foolish girl – she touched the wound and dared a greater risk of infecting it. By instinct, I quickly took hold of her wrist to pull it back.

"Don't touch it!" I suddenly said.

"Ms. Lime, all we could do is stall the claws of Hades, not stop it. You have to cooperate."

"O-okay… but, what can be done about it? All the medics and priests in Bermesiah have already tried." I didn't expect to see such helplessness in her eyes. I guess I have really gotten used to her relentless perseverance.

"The poison has affected the opening skin layers to allow continuous hemorrhage. It has to be healed through physical administration of unprocessed herbal medicine." I said, leaning forward to have a closer look. When I look up, I saw the same color on her face return, perhaps getting embarrassed again.

Another bizzare human sentiment, this embarrassment. I understand that reducing one to a mere objective detail can cause great discomfort, but I don't understand what there is to be flustered about.

"Can you see those seeds over there? Zero, I need you to gather a handful and chew it in your mouth, and put another in your pocket." He was pertaining to the grainy bundles lying under a nearby tree. It must have gotten knocked down after my attack. It was filthy, covered with mud, but as picked them up and examined them - they were clearly seeds.

"You want me to chew on this?" I asked, a bit hesitant. I'm not so sensitive with these sorts of things, nor am I eager to treat them as food.

"Precisely. But don't swallow it, just chew."

"Mr. Zero, it's ok. I'm sure we can find another way."

"No we cannot. It will take you 3 minutes to sterilize it in your mouth, approximately 10 minutes to administer it on the wound, and 5 minutes to prepare, after which the Storm Sisters would be here and we would battling for our lives. Now unless we can find this 'other way' I suggest we use what we have with our small resources and even smaller time frame."

"Fine." I said, trying to rub off some dust from it.

"Don't worry, I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy the next part, Zero."

I returned Grandark on my back and threw the seeds in my mouth. This wouldn't be the first time I'm eating dirt. I am partly appreciative of the fact that I don't have to swallow it, though. The taste was nasty… definitely 75% dirt. There was no saying how long I have to keep this disgusting substance in my mouth, but if Grandark wanted me to clean it up, I knew I had to put up with until the metallic taste of soil has subsided.

Meanwhile, the Holy Knight stood there, and it seems it was her turn to stare. Unlike her, I didn't really mind. People always stare at me when I'm walking public places. Understandably enough, since I have an enormous sword with huge eyes looking all over the place, often with his own opinion about everything. Did I mention it has huge eyes?

I tilted my head as mild inquiry as to why she had been looking at me so.

"Zero, you have such round cheeks." She said. I didn't really know how treat that statement. Was she trying to give me a compliment? It didn't matter.

I raised my point finger to indicate I was almost done. More like I was at the verge of puking this damn thing. And the way the concocted paste was wriggling in my mouth as if it was alive was giving me chills. Again, ladies and gentlemen, I am not sensitive. You try masticating such horrid sensation without flinching and I'd put my flag down for ya!

Well, it seemed the taste has gotten a natural feel. Perhaps it was due- my three minutes certainly is

"Zero, if you are done enjoying yourself, could we proceed to step two?" Grandark hissed at me.

"Right…" I pushed the new formed paste on my left cheek to remain comprehensible in my speech. "Ready, what's step two?"

"Step two is very simple. You have to put that goo carefully on her wound. Make sure to cover the entire opening."

"Simple indeed." I was about to remove my gloves to follow such basic instruction when a follow up came in.

"But you cannot use your hands." Grandark said.

"Excuse me?" I had to clarify that, "Should I use my toes then?"

"Humorous."

"Um, it's ok, my hands are clean, I can put it on myself." Lime offered.

"Sorry, Ms. Lime, but you're hands are not clean at all. Zero must apply the paste on your wound directly from his mouth."